Investment strategy: How to marry a billionaire

It is an investment for a lifetime. But none of the long-term investing rules apply. Past performance is irrelevant, growth reviews are futile and diversification strictly no-no. If you snag a billionaire spouse (read investment), just hang on to him/her till kingdom comes. And if you must let go, make sure he/she has left a slice of heaven in your bank balance. But that is another story. First, how do you land an uber-rich partner?

The competition is tough. According to the 2010 edition of the Forbes Richest Indians List, only 69 Indians belong to the elite club. Most of them are taken. Thankfully, they have procreated. The scions, who haven't made it any list, yet, are being groomed in the wings. Think Siddharth Mallya, Nisa Godrej, Shravin Mittal and their ilk.

An agile Indian economy helps, spawning self-made multi millionaires at a fast clip. Capgemini and Merrill Lynch's 2010 Asia-Pacific Wealth Report says the number of high net worth individuals in India swelled by 51% between 2008 and 2009. Don't scrunch up your nose at them. Remember, Infosys didn't debut as a blue chip. Multi-millionaires are the stars of tomorrow. Add them to your target list.

With Google and Microsoft Excel, digging out and sorting basic information about the richie rich is easy. Narrowing focus on four or five potential partners is not. There is no benchmark to rely on. Use your gut and do your homework. One tip: keep your pragmatic side awake. Mark Zuckerberg scores high on the 'cuteness quotient', but the logistics of gaining access to his lair can beat you down.

In fact, the journey from your suburban two-bedroom apartment to a seaside villa is the most critical part of the plan. To flash on the radar of a billionaire, you must be seen around and talked to. Regularly. Where can you do it? At work, of course. You didn't think those billions stack up by frolicking in beach parties? The rich spend maximum hours in their office. Be there and you can get noticed.

This was how Bill Gates met Melinda—a general manager at Microsoft, and Rupert Murdoch lay eyes on Wife No. 3, Wendi Deng, then vice-president of Star TV, Hong Kong. To follow their footsteps, you need a meaty resume. Specifications differ, but safe to say that an MBA from a top ten B-school, Indian or global, should see you there. Melinda had hers from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. A tidbit for perspective: the institute ranks 28 the 2010 edition of The Economist's best B-school list.

Don't fret if you are lousy at strategy and sales. Managerial degrees are not the only rite of passage to rich corridors. A doctorate in biomedical informatics works just fine. Ask Lucinda Southworth, wife of Google co-founder Larry Page. The key is to have flaunt-worthy grey matter, preferably one endorsed by a highbrow institute (Southworth has a Stanford pedigree).

A reputable degree can't be bought off a department store. You may end up investing two to five years earning it. If that is too long to wait, opt for careers that bring you in the billionaire's circle, though not is his boardroom. Specialists in corporate social responsibility, public relations, heads of philanthropic foundations, dealers of super-luxury goods and art experts are the lucky profiles.

You can hope for a chance encounter that ends in saying 'I do'. Truth is, these fantasy tales only make great movies. In reality, heart-broken billionaires don't wander into AC compartments of trains. However, if you want to take chances, target golf clubs, art galleries and exclusive fitness and hobby groups. The problem: getting in costs a packet. Attend more than one shindig a month and your bank account will bleed. It's a good idea to have a budget and a timeline. If no man worth a billion looks your way within the deadline, dump the plan.